Many people have requested a few photos of my old office in the corner of the den (that’s what we call our informal living room) so I’m here with the goods. Before we created our office/guest room/playroom this small “corner office” was where I worked full time. Here’s what it looked like back then with the old printer and a few file boxes along with my trusty laptop:
We decided to keep the desk around as a place for letter writing and web surfing during the weekends (when we don’t want to be holed up in the office). We also think that eventually it’ll become a great place for Clara to draw and do homework while we cook/hang out nearby since it’s part of the living area. Here’s what it looks like now:
It doesn’t really look that different from my old full time office of yore, other than the fact that we didn’t need the phone or the printer out in the den anymore (since we upgraded to a wireless printer in our new home office). And a lot of the boxes and other office-y stuff could also be removed.
Oh and we switched out our homemade botanical leaf print – just for fun. I’ve always had a thing for the coral leaf that’s in there now, although the palm one was fun while it lasted.
Oh and the old desk lamp moved into the office and our beloved gourd lamp took its place (it used to live on the side table back when the office was a full time guest room). You know we’re all about working with what we have and moving things around from room to room so it was a fast little switcheroo.
Sure it’s huge, but we love the oversized silhouette, especially because it creates some nice balance in the den since it’s the same height as the floor lamp with a similarly shaped drum shade across the room. And isn’t it amazing how much warmer it makes that corner feel thanks to the soft creamy light that it casts? We love turning it on at night and watching TV with it glowing in the corner. It’s also worth noting that all the after photos were taken with our new camera so that might also add to the ambiance that we’re finally able to capture.
So that’s what became of our small full-time office-turned-part-time-casual desk. Do you guys have a desk in a living area that you use for writing cards, laptop surfing, kid art/homework, or anything else? Do tell.
And while I’m at it I’ll share a personal little morsel about that gold & white notebook in the foreground above. That’s actually a sweet little leather bound notebook that I scored on clearance from Anthropologie. For the last two years I’ve been using it as a gratitude journal. I know it sounds corny, but jotting down a few things that I’m thankful for every day really helps me remember to appreciate all of the little (and big) things that make me smile- so I don’t take anything for granted. I highly recommend it! Anyone else out there with a gratitude journal? I never could stick to keeping a diary, but listing a few things that make me happy each day is so much easier.
Psst- Wanna see the rest of the den? Click here for an update about our new rug.
Cait @ Hernando House says
I’m liking the new set up! That lamp looks great there! And I know what you mean about having a lamp glowing in the corner while watching tv. Currently we just have some inexpensive cup lights from Lowes behind the tv and a floor lamp on the other side of the couch to add some light while we watch tv, but we’re seriously considering a new table lamp in the living room.
Elizabeth says
I had been wondering what happened to that lamp from the guest room since you loved it so much…now I know. :-)
Speaking of living room lighting, I just removed the light fixture from the ceiling fan in my living/family/tv watching/everything room and what a huge difference! The room has tall vaulted ceilings and now the fan seems to just recede instead of dominate…yea!
Katie says
Hi Sherry,
When you brought up a daily journal in today’s post I just had to tell you about this great little line a day journal. It’s small with about four to five lines for each day. The cool thing is it lasts five years and it’s organized so that you see the same page on the same date no matter the year. I just started mine but am already looking forward to looking back at what I was doing on 8.19.10 once I get to 8.19.14! It comes in a regualr version and a mom’s version.
Here’s a link to it on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Moms-One-Line-Day-Five-Year/dp/0811874907/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282235104&sr=8-1
It seems like something you would really like. Can’t thank you enough for all the help you and John have given me thru your blog!
Katie
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh that does look fun! I always love playing the what-was-I-doing/thinking this time last month/year/decade!
xo,
s
bria says
i can’t stick to a diary either, gratitude journal sounds lovely though….
Jill says
This corner of your house always gives me desk envy. The new decor looks gorgeous, and I love that you keep a gratitude journal! My boyfriend and I try to list five good things that happened during the day when we’re winding down for the night, and I like the idea of writing those things down too. And your journal is so pretty! I will definitely be snagging something similar in the future.
Joni Tyrrell says
love it and love how you accesorize. :)
you have probably mentioned it before, but what is it you store in your white canisters?
YoungHouseLove says
Burger’s food is actually in the big one (with a small measuring scoop) and his treats are in the other one. It’s handy to have them in the den because his food and water bowl are on the other side of the TV stand in there!
xo,
s
Melanie says
That corner does look so warm and cozy now. I love your wall art. I ordered all 4 of them months ago, and just picked up the IKEA frames. Now I’m just trying to figure out where to put them – new house with no artwork up yet!
Christin says
I used to keep a graditude journal and stopped a while back, though I’ve been thinking of starting it up again. Thanks for the reminder. :)
Lindsay@Tell'er All About It says
I love it!! Looks good! And, yes, I think the new camera really does give you a much warmer look! I’ve heard that Nikon’s are generally more warm and “true to color” than Canon, which I’ve heard is more cool toned…I have no idea, though. Don’t quote me ;-).
Jessica @ How Sweet says
I love it – I wish I could do my office just like that!
Jennifer says
I like it! And with kids learning on computers younger and younger, it will only be a few short years before Clara will need a computer desk anyway. I’m sure you’ll find or construct the perfect booster seat for her! :)
Meghan says
Love this little corner nook, it looks great either as your full time desk or part time hang out! Also – is that desk from CB2?
YoungHouseLove says
It’s actually the West Elm parsons desk. It was a wedding gift and we are so happy to have it!
xo,
s
OwningSingle says
I love the idea of a gratitude journal! Very nice.
Erica says
Thanks for this post, especially the last part about your gratitude journal! I have been keeping one for the past two years and it has been a great reminder. One of today’s entries..I am grateful for a friend telling me about YHL :)I have learned tons of neat stuff from you guys that I can’t wait to use in the future!! Thanks for all that you do!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Erica! We’re blushing.
xo,
s
Amanda@The Hand Me Down House says
You guys have impeccable style! I could just stare at your home pictures all day long…and this new desk set up is no exception. :) I love the idea of a gratitude journal — what a great way to look at the big picture of things and keep yourself grounded. I may take that idea and use it myself. :)
Michelle says
Love the house and everything. Quick question please explain the map on the wall above the side of the desk. Framing a map is a great idea.
Thanks
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Michelle,
Here’s one post and another post about it. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Adam says
I noticed from your before to current photographs that you added breezy white sheers to the window left of the desk. You must keep the desk a few inches from the wall in order to not pin the sheers against the wall? I have run into this problem in a master bedroom I am redoing. The vanity dresser is next to a window, not leaving me room to hang tall curtain panels very much wider than the window. Do you think it would be ok to pull the vanity out away from the wall with the billowy curtains partially behind the vanity?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Adam,
Oh yeah! Just pull it out a few inches. We even have a sofa in the living room in front of the window. Works well and everything breathes nicely!
xo,
s
Jennifer says
I used to keep a gratitute journal but am just starting a daily journal for my 15month old Madelyn so she can one day read about our days :) Well, daily may be a bit of a stretch, but I’m aiming for at least a weekly update of our life and all of her little accomplishments :)
Sally says
I love the look of the coral print. For some reason it seems like a major factor in creating the look of warmth in that corner. The lamp I’m sure plays a big part, but I am impressed with how a seemingly small thing like switching a print for another with a different background color changed the look of the area dramatically.
Also, I love the bouquet of pencils. :) ““Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils…” It’s one of my favorite You’ve Got Mail quotes.
Amber says
I have never come across anyone else you keeps a gratitude journal! I started my journal 7 years ago during my freshman year in college and I find it to be an excellent way to maintain perspective. It is also great fun to flip back to the beginning and remember what sparked each entry.
Vonda says
When you started out your office set-up I was very much hoping you’d be Craiglisting that West Elm beauty. As much as I think it would’ve been awesome in my house, I must admit I love what you’ve done with the corner. I finally ordered the mini and can’t wait to set up my websurfing/crafty/artsy corner of our den! I will use your corner as inspiration to make ours look as cozy (and neat)!
Christiana says
I am not surprised that people as kind and gracious as you keep a gratitude journal. What a great way to keep yourself grounded but also to continue to attract in positivity and success. It’s clearly working! :)
I focus on what I’m grateful for every day in the shower but I think I’d like to restart my journaling efforts.
Emily says
Love the ambiance of the light. I had/have a gratitude journal but it’s a little un-updated. :)
Peggy says
I used to have a gratitude journal. I really should start one again. It would be a good thing right now for so many reasons.
Christine says
Gratitude journals are great! I tend to do them more when I’m feeling overwhelmed/lost/unhappy – they keep me grounded in just how amazing my life really is. Haven’t kept one in a while but I plan to start doing it daily (and on the web, no less!) when we have kids – just because I know there will be some days when I’ll be stressed out and want to bring myself to focus on the little happy things!
Cheryl says
The lamp looks very nice there — larger equals more dramatic. I have a West Elm parson’s desk in my master bedroom, in the corner, and I turn it completely off at night. Not a fan of desks in bedrooms but it’s a quiet place during the day and never used — seems like wasted space not to be used during the day.
Rachel says
You’ve inspired me to turn a nook in our living room into a similar space. I hardly use my real office, and soon I’ll be trading in my desktop PC for a laptop. It’ll be nice to be able to bring my computer down to the main level instead of being isolated upstairs. Plus, we’re eyeing up my current office for a future nursery. Now just to find a desk that’s not to wide (smaller than yours even!)
christi says
i love the new set-up — in the office/guest room/play room and the den. we are thinking of adding a table in the living room/family room just the same thing. perhaps even a skirted table. it’s my project this weekend! HA!
i, too, keep a gratitude journal. i agree, it helps you not take life for granted. and even on the toughest of days, it makes me realize how blessed we are.
Johnna says
Did you paint the den yellow or is that the light/rug??? The last two posts have looked very yellow – but they’re also later at night….
PS – Whatever the case it looks AMAZING!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Johnna! We actually didn’t repaint, but the wall color in the den (Wishes by Glidden) has always had creamy soft yellow undertones. It’s definitely a combination of the new lamp, the time of day, and the new camera we think!
xo,
s
Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says
We have a small desk in our living room: http://ourhumbleabowed.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/img_9138.jpg and I did my design work from that desk until we created an office in our basement: http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2010/06/02/office-progress-2/
Jane says
Love the look of this little space. I have 2 comments and a question:
A Gratitude Journal has been part of my life for several years. It’s especially important on not-so-fun days. Puts everything in perspective. I always try for 5 things and sometimes it includes the little items like an especially friendly checker at the grocery store.
Speaking of lamps…I have a lamp project in the works today. My 2 favorite lamps for the living room have been spray painted many times over the years. Today they went from black to “Espresso”. Love the deep color.
Finally, what did you do with the old printer? I can’t seem to get rid of older electronics-even on Freecycle.
YoungHouseLove says
We donated our old printer to Goodwill (along with some other stuff we cleared out to make room for more Clara stuff). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Lindsay@Tell'er All About It says
Hey, Sher –
So I’ve noticed you’ve been “re-photographing” rooms here and there in your house. Are you getting the itch now to re-do all the photos with the new camera?! It really is amazing when you put the photos side by side what a difference the new camera makes!! The photos are beautiful, btw!!!
Lindsay
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Lindsay! We definitely like playing with the new camera, and we have been getting a bunch of requests to see different areas in our house (as they look now with a baby around or with the office moved, etc) so we’re slowly but surely making our away around the house to snap some pics. Fun!
xo,
s
Kate says
My New Year’s resolution is to keep a journal every day this year. Not exactly a gratitude journal, but rather a “what happened” journal. I’ve always assumed that I will remember the friends I have at a particular time of life and the parties my hubby and I go to and the things we do together, and then I realize I can’t remember what we did a month ago, let alone a year ago! This is our first year of marriage and we live in nyc and our lives just feel so FULL of friends and fun times. I want to have a record of it, if only to have documentation that we were once young and fabulous. It is usually just a line or two a day about what I did or where I went or who I saw. I can see myself transitioning to a gratitude journal when the year is over…love the look of that one line a day book.
Kara says
Hey Sherry!
So, do you have rules for what you write in your gratitude journal? I mean, can you write in there every day that you’re thankful for John and Clara? And do you write in it at the end of the day or when you wake up? Just curious!
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
I usually write in the evening when we’re sitting on the sofa in front of the TV decompressing after Clara is fast asleep. I do usually add in a line about C & J & B each day, just because I am truly grateful for them. But sometimes I write something more detailed, like “I’m thankful that Burger is so in love with Clara and so good with her.” Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Robin says
Love how light and inviting this little corner is! The lotus flower tealight holder is darling.
Marissa says
Sherry, you’re amazing! What a great idea with the gratitude journal?! I’ve been having a really hard time lately with feeling excited about my job, and I feel like I need to focus more on all of the positive things in life, I think I’ll try this out! Thanks so much, that made my day!
Bryanna says
Coming out of lurking to tell you that I ADORE your blog and house… and that my husband and I actually keep a joint gratitude journal! We started it when he was working nights and I was working days and our time together was brief. Having a spot to jot down a few thoughts of love and thanks to each other kept us feeling close and looking forward to our weekends together even more!
Sarah says
YHL – do you recall where you bought the white canisters? I love the silver band and handle with the shape!
Sarah
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Sarah,
They’re actually from Ikea a while back. Hope they still have them!
xo,
s
kathy says
I’ve never been very good about writing it, but I do make a habit of saying 3 things I’m grateful for right before I go to sleep. It helps to focus my brain on the positive before sleeping.
Allison says
I just scored a sweet drop-front secretary desk at a thrift shop and I put it in my living room. Not only does it look great, I love having a central place for mail and paperwork so that stuff doesn’t end up all over the apartment. Plus, I write a lot more cards and notes with my stationery all in one place and all right there in the room I use the most.
Great idea with the gratitude journal – I’m going to start one today! (And I am grateful for all the clever ideas I pick up from YHL.)
Eric at My First Garage says
I love your Artichoke vase – and I keep seeing it in different shots over time – it’s like a traveling gnome…
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s true! Things in our house are like roaming gnomes!
xo,
s
lesli says
i loved opening up my sunday paper and seeing an article about you guys! Ive been reading for almost 2 years now. :) <—-Des Moines Register
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Lesli! We’re excited to have made it into the DesMoines Register!
xo,
s
margie says
Hey john and sherry. I have a question that is off topic from todays post. I was wondering when the two of you were working did you share that you have a blog with your co-works? did you pick just the ones you were close to? I am in the beginning stages of starting my own blog and I relize that anything that goes on it is out there for anyone to see, I am just tryin to decide if its a good idea to make it easier to find by sharing it. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Margie,
Good question! Pretty much from day one I told my clients (I was working as a freelance advertising copywriter at the time) whenever it came up. I just mentioned that it was a hobby because truthfully I had no idea it could ever become more than that. I figured I could casually mention it since so many people google each other before deciding to work together anyway. John also was very forthcoming with the fact that we blogged about our house as a hobby and mentioned it in casual conversation to people that he worked with (he was at a downtown advertising agency). For the most part, everyone seemed very happy to check it out once or twice, but we never felt overly “monitored” at any time. Of course just with the out-there nature of the internet we never put anything on our blog that we wouldn’t want our parents or a potential client or employer to see. That always seems like the safest bet these days!
xo,
s
Sarah says
I have a little office nook that formerly was a laundry nook, it’s just off our kitchen. We moved the laundry to the basement, and converted the space with some kitchen cabinets and a laminate countertop, to form a counter-height desk. It’s in a convenient spot, and now I have a place for all my office supplies and stationery, not to mention my laptop! However, I constantly daydream about making this space into a much needed pantry……
Jen says
Do you guys have a million green artichokes and white lotus candleholders, or do you just move them around whenever you want to stage a picture? If the latter, where is their normal spot?
YoungHouseLove says
We were just joking a few comments back that things in our house are like roaming gnomes! Nothing really has a normal spot, they just move around to keep our house feeling fresh and interesting. We have found if we’re too strict about things (this ‘GOES’ here, that ‘BELONGS’ there) things start to feel stagnant and I just feel like I pick things up to dust them and put them right back down in the same place. It’s a lot more fun to rotate accessories and even pillows, throws, and art for fun!
xo,
s
Johanna says
I love your gratidue journal, Sherry! It reminded me of another little journal you might enjoy, this mini diary with the beginnings of sentences for easy completion: http://www.martawrites.com/2010/08/mini-diaries-have-arrived.html
I discovered your blog just a few days ago through one of your readers’ comment on another blog and it already has my mind spinning with ideas. So very motivating! Thank you for sharing your private home so generously with all of us, this new German reader is hooked for sure :)
YoungHouseLove says
Love it Johanna! Thanks for the link!
xo,
s
Kim says
You guys and you home is such an inspiration to me. But I was just curious about your receipt box. Do you still have one?
And something else I have been wondering….where do you put your dirty laundry?
haha thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kim,
Yup, the receipt box just moved into our new office (it’s on the under-desk file cabinet that John built). As for our dirty clothes, we actually have a hamper in the bedroom (it’s a lesser seen angle of the room but it’s visible in this post). Clara also has a cute little hamper that we DIYed in her nursery from a basket and a leftover swatch of fabric (scroll through this post for that info). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Suzie @ cupcake monkey says
I am so with you on the gratitude journal!! After reading The Secret (even though everyone and I mean EVERYONE made fun of me) and then A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle, I started my journal. It is amazing what a little gratitude can do for your mood!!
…and the space looks great! :)
barb says
hey guys,
i must say just another great looking space, you guys are so talented. i have a question for you guys since you redid your kitchen. first off we are on a teeny tiny, itsy bitsy budget. sooooo…i am wondering if you can just buy the cabinets without doors and then reuse your doors if they are in good shape. also cabinets are just a box right? is it unreasonable to think we could make those ourselves? i ask this because i know a kitchen constantly needs cleaning etc, so it has to be good quality. i send this out to ALL yhl readers as well, any advice is welcome. if you have remodeled your kitchen which areas did you spend more on? which did you try to save money on? what advice do you wish you knew before you renovated? thanks all!!!
dreaming of a pretty kitchen,
barb
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Barb,
We splurged on granite counters that we love and saved by getting our sink and faucet for cheap on eBay (and another discount site). It’s really about choosing what is most important and exciting for you to add to your new space, then try saving in areas that don’t matter to you as much. It’s totally subjective! Your idea to build cabinets and reuse your doors is a great way to save money if you can pull it off! Maybe it’s worth taking a book or two about cabinet building from the library? Or googling around to see if anyone has a cabinet box making tutorial you can refer to? Good luck!
Anyone else have other tips for Barb?
xo,
s
renee says
Sherry-
Flash forward a few years or more. You will SO love reading your daily gratitudes. I have been doing this since the lste 90s and it is just a hoot to sift through and reminisce! My babies are now 16 and 15, and they also love hearing what I wrote about them throughout the years. I also write the boys a letter each year on their birthdays and will give them all the letters on their 18th birthday :)